Miniature spit rest 1715 - 1735

This is a miniature spit rest, crafted in silver, by David Clayton, sometime between 1659 and 1719. It evokes the hearth, the heart of the home. While seemingly just a domestic object, the spit rest, even in miniature, carries echoes of primordial rituals. In ancient Greece, the hearth was sacred, a place of offerings and family unity. Remember Hestia, the goddess of the hearth, an immovable presence at the core of Greek life? This domestic implement is a microcosm of those ancient flames, of communal feasting and storytelling around the fire. Across time, the hearth appears in countless iterations – from the Roman lararium to medieval fireplaces – always symbolizing nourishment, security, and family bonds. It reflects our collective memory, a deep-seated longing for warmth and connection. The spit rest stands as a testament to this enduring human need, engaging our senses and stirring subconscious emotions connected to home and belonging. Thus, this miniature spit rest becomes more than mere metalwork, it becomes a vessel of cultural memory.